The Foolproof Way To Soften Butter Quickly (No Microwave Needed)

No more half-melted mess—this method softens butter evenly every time.

By
Laura Scherb
Lara Scherb
Laura Scherb

Laura Scherb is a Chicagoland-based food photographer, stylist, and writer. Her food and beverage photography, styling, and writing have been featured on The FeedFeed, The TODAY Show, Esquire, The Spruce Eats, Eater, Edible Chicago, Chicago Reader, and Simply Recipes, as well as in the recently published cookbook Enzo’s Kitchen and other forthcoming cookbooks.

Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published October 22, 2025
Lara Scherb
Stick of butter partially unwrapped on a plate butter knife nearby

Simply Recipes / Getty Images

I know I’m not the only one who has spontaneous cravings for baked goods. There’s nothing better than a chocolate chip cookie fresh from the oven right when you need it! But when the recipe requires softened butter, it’s heartbreaking. Well, it was heartbreaking, until I saw this genius way to soften butter quickly. 

This baking hack has been making the rounds on TikTok, where creators have shared it as an alternative to melting butter in the microwave.

How To Soften Butter Quickly

You’ll need a drinking glass and a flat plate. Heat water in a pot or kettle, then pour it into the glass. Discard the water—or save a cup of tea—then place the glass on top of an unwrapped stick of butter standing up on the plate. The glass holds enough residual heat to gently warm the butter without melting it like you would in a microwave. Ta-dah!

Steps of softening a stick of butter using a glass cup the butter is placed on a plate and the glass is inverted over it

Simply Recipes / Laura Scherb

How This Baking Hack Works

Temperature is a key part of baking, especially in regards to the ingredients. Everyone who’s tried to bake with cold butter when the recipe calls for softened butter knows how disastrous it can be. But why does the temperature of the butter affect the way the batter turns out?

We use butter in certain bakes because of its solid state at room temperature and ability to aerate and make creamy doughs and batters. If you store your butter in the refrigerator, as most of us do, it hardens. Then, when you go to make the batter, it’s impossible to incorporate the necessary air into the butter and difficult to create a smooth batter. But this is what you need to make cookies and cakes into mouthwatering treats! Using softened butter means that baking will be easier and your baked goods will be even tastier.

This hack saves you from having to wait for butter to come to room temperature or microwaving it for two seconds at a time, hoping that it will soften without exploding. Of course, you could whack a stick of butter with a rolling pin, but I think this quick and easy method is a better way to start your bakes!

Explore More: